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Wednesday, 25 April 2012

Well I was really rather hoping to be writing my next post talking about how glad we are to be back to normal – unfortunately Rosie is still in hospital. It would appear after managing two days off the oxygen she has taken a step backward and gone back on it – before she is discharged she will need to complete a full night with no oxygen whilst keeping her saturation levels in the mid to high 90's. At the moment this still seems miles off but as with last time she was in we couldn't see the end then suddenly she perked up and we were home before we knew it. I have been struggling this week to get my head around the fact that Rosie was only in Alder Hey for eight days after undergoing seven hours of open heart surgery to fix her complete AVSD, even then, post surgery, she suffered a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and yet she was only in for eight days. Why then has she spent 28 days and counting (total time so far of last three stays) in hospital with what by comparison to above, seems like a glorified cold!?

It's very easy to slip into the mindset of, 'give us a break, why us' and I'm honest enough to admit I have been guilty of that in my brief moments of weakness or, 'wobbles' as I like to call them, but in the main I, and we, as a family are determined to try and take the positives from each hurdle we are faced with. This is something (another thing rather) that I have found easier to accomplish since Rosie's birth. I am fully aware that there are millions of families far worse off, going through far more traumatic experiences than us and whilst I by no means take any comfort in that it does help me keep things in perspective when I have mini 'wobbles.'

Karen has been nothing short of amazing having done all but one of the nights in hospital so far and I can't express enough how proud I am of her titanic efforts to remain positive, she has seen very little of her boys (I include myself here!) and that in itself cannot be easy for her (I exclude myself again at this point as she has probably enjoyed the break from my daily annoying habits!). On a positive note Rosie is better in herself and in truth we aren't really worried as she seems happier now than we've ever seen her, she's been shouting at people, being nosey looking and laughing at everyone on the ward and generally amusing Karen, her visitors and the nurses, however, she just needs to get off this last smidgen of oxygen and we should be bringing back a stronger, more determined Budlington, ready to tackle the next developmental challenge whatever that may be.

I'm finishing this post by sharing a song that has helped give me that little lift when I've most needed it and its fast becoming a bit of a Bachofner family anthem!

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Well it seems my mention of anxiety regarding Rosie's health in the previous post wasn't without substance. Unfortunately Rosie was admitted to the Starlight Ward at Wythenshawe Hospital on Monday. This is now her third visit since December and everything is too familiar, the nurses even remembered her by name! We thought she'd had her fair share when the last stay mean't spending her first Christmas in hospital, but it appears she still needs that little bit more help before shifting this bronchiolitis.

At present Rosie is requiring a lot of oxygen to keep her saturation levels where they should be naturally – in the high 90s. Thankfully the one thing she hasn't had to go through again is the trauma of having an intravenous line inserted – I don't think Karen or I could see her go through anymore needle prodding – they always find it difficult to find her veins so end up trying 4-5 times before eventually inserting it in her head, which as you can imagine is not pleasant for her. She is having antibiotics orally this time which she actually likes.

We have noticed (seeing her in the familiar cot) just how much has changed with her development since December – no longer is she happy to just lay there still, but is very active which is making it all the more frustrating for her. Rosie is now also on solids which in turn makes feeding quite interesting as she tries to wipe the nasal specs away!

Harry and Joe are being as good as ever with the situation but truth be told I'm finding this stint the hardest – to see them have to go through the unrest and change to their routine, sometimes having to sacrifice the things they love, to work around hospital visits, is difficult. They make very little fuss and it's easy to look at them and think, 'it's fine they are young, resilient and it won't have an affect.' All they see of Dad at the moment is my stressing to get them to school in the morning and rushing to get them in bed at night. As for seeing Mum and Rosie it's a case of as and when and actually only saw them tonight for the first time since Monday. They keep asking me if they can have a 'Boys night', (indoor football match, pizza's and a DVD) because last time I was on annual leave and they were on school holidays so getting to bed at a reasonable hour wasn't an issue, but I have to say no as its too late by the time I've visited the hospital and got them back home. I know, I know – yes, really they will be fine, yes we are lucky to have family on hand who are doing so much to help us keep disruption to a minimum, BUT equally, yes, they are only Nine and Six (just) and I do hope they really are okay. Wow I'm really waffling now I best stop!

I'll finish by wishing our Budlington a speedy recovery, Karen some long overdue sleep (amazing how she copes) and by thanking each and every one of our family and friends for their constant offers of help and support. Here are a few pics of her in her home from home...

Tuesday, 10 April 2012

Rosie has been a bit under the weather over the last two weeks, coughing a lot and struggling with a cold. It still tends to make us a bit anxious especially after the last two times (where we chose not to worry) ended up with long stints in hospital. I'm quite sure that anxiety will fade – its not like we panic as such but more a worry that sits in the back of the mind. I'm happy to say that she's alot better again and recovered just in time for our much needed Easter break with the London branch of the family (including a day trip to Essex visiting friends).

It's been a bit hectic since the last time I posted on here for one reason or another and the same can be said for Rosie as she seems to be achieving new things almost everyday. I'd say the most significant one to report is that she's now starting the early signs of clapping, the best kind for a parent really, where she has the correct motions with no sound!

Rosie also demonstrated a real show of improved grabbing strength this week when playing with her cousin Olivia who is two months younger. As you'll see in the video below Olivia picks up a crinkly square thingy which is also a favourite toy of Rosie's, her face lights up when she see's it and she swoops in and clings on for dear life before hiding it!